Understanding and checking the utility bill

Utility costs – also called operating costs – are costs incurred by the landlord in connection with the operation and maintenance of the property. The tenancy agreement specifies which utility costs the tenant must bear in addition to the net rent. Only what is agreed in the tenancy agreement may be charged.

Typical utility costs include:

The tenancy agreement specifies whether utility costs are paid as advance payments or as a flat rate. The difference is crucial:

With advance payments, you make monthly prepayments. At the end of the billing period, a settlement is made: if you have paid too much, you receive a refund. If you have paid too little, you must make an additional payment. The landlord is obliged to send you a detailed statement.

With a flat rate, you pay a fixed amount each month. No settlement is made – regardless of whether the actual costs were higher or lower. Flat-rate arrangements are simpler for tenants but carry the risk of overpaying in the long run.

Not every expense incurred by the landlord may be passed on to tenants. The general rule is: only costs that are expressly listed as utility costs in the tenancy agreement may be charged. The following items are typically not allocable:

Take the time to check your statement carefully. Pay attention to the following points:

As a tenant, you have the right to inspect the documents on which the utility bill is based. The landlord must present the original receipts to you upon request. This right of inspection is enshrined in Swiss tenancy law and cannot be contractually excluded.

If you find an error in the statement or disagree with an item, you should inform the landlord in writing and request a correction or explanation. Set a reasonable deadline of 30 days.

If the landlord does not respond to your complaint or refuses a correction, you can contact the competent conciliation authority. Learn more about your rights and obligations as a tenant in our guide. The procedure is free of charge in most cantons and provides a low-threshold way to resolve disputes.

Important: do not pay an additional amount under protest; instead, note in the accompanying letter that you are contesting the statement. This safeguards your claims.

The landlord must send the utility bill within a reasonable period – usually within six to twelve months after the end of the billing period. If the statement arrives too late, the tenant may in certain circumstances refuse to make the additional payment.

Conversely, tenants should also act promptly: contest the statement as soon as possible – ideally within 30 days of receipt – to preserve your rights.